BRADFORD is set to be the main beneficiary of an apprentice recruitment drive by a major financial institution - which will also develop new areas of training and qualifications.

Bradford-based Yorkshire Building Society Group has pledged to take on 150 apprentices over the next five years in a move that will include developing a new mortgage underwriting apprenticeship along with apprenticeships in other customer-focused roles.

Most of the apprenticeships will be in Bradford, where the Society has completed an £11 million refurbishment of its headquarters off Rooley Lane. Apprenticeships will also be created in Peterborough at the former head office of the Norwich & Peterborough society which is now part of the YBS group.

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YBS says it has created more than 480 jobs over the past two years and fills a third of vacancies from within. It says it offers clear career development opportunities, with all staff earning at least the Living Wage.

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The new apprentice roles are being developed as part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ trailblazer programme aimed at encouraging employers to create business-focused apprenticeship opportunities.

Chris Pilling, YBS chief executive, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme will offer 150 people the chance to develop a career with a one of the region’s most successful employers. We are delighted to be able to offer these opportunities over the coming years.

“We are a business with proud mutual values for 150 years and they extend to the positive experience we seek to give our people as much as our customers.

“This scheme allows us to build on our strong record of developing talent from within and recognising and rewarding good performance.

“The trailblazer approach which was set up by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills allows us to create specific apprenticeships which have real benefit to the participants and our sector.

“Mortgage underwriting is a skilled role which has a central part to play in our business and the industry as a whole so we hope to work with fellow building societies and banks to establish a new apprenticeship standard for others to follow.”

YBS made its commitment during a visit to its Leeds office by Work and Pensions Minister Esther McVey.

Councillor Susan Hinchliffe, Bradford Council's executive member for employment and skills, welcomed the move, saying: "I'm pleased that Yorkshire Building Society is making this commitment to taking on so many apprentices.

"It has a track record of enabling successful new recruits to rise quickly through the ranks, so it sounds like a good opportunity for people in Bradford.

"Increasingly, young people are considering an apprenticeship seriously as a career option and this announcement I'm sure will encourage even more to give it serious consideration."

The Council, itself, is heavily involved in getting more young people into work through apprenticeships.

Working in partnership with Bradford College, it runs the Little Germany-based Bradford Apprenticeship Training Agency, to employ apprentices on behalf of businesses.

Free advice is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises wanting to find out about recruiting an apprentice at E3 Bradford, which is supported by the Council and Bradford Chamber of Commerce.